Referendum 41 and You

Last November Colorado voters passed Referendum 41, which added Article XXIX, Ethics
in Government, to the Colorado Constitution. Ostensibly this amendment regulated
lobbying activities, but the language of the amendment is so broad that it includes
a number of higher education activities and all employees of the state of Colorado.
The most complex issue affecting us is the one University of Colorado President Hank
Brown has highlighted: the receipt of a monetary recognition in excess of $50 from
an individual or entity that is not your employer.

The amendment has three parts: a limitation on gifts that are not part of compensation
from the state, a restriction on post-service employment by members of the general
assembly and the creation of an independent ethics commission.

The most significant for you as a state employee is the $50 limitation on gifts or
other things of value given to you or a family member. The amendment would allow you
to be compensated for work such as making a presentation or participating on a panel.
However, you could not accept a trip from a vendor to review the vendor’s product
or services or an award from a professional organization if the value exceeded $50.